What Does It Mean to Go Green and How It Can Help You Save Money

You’ve probably heard the phrase “going green” more than once by now. Many industries and companies are in the process of implementing energy-efficient technology to reduce, if not eliminate, their impact on the environment. Burning natural gas and fossil fuels contributes to climate change, which is driving extreme weather all over the world, including wildfires, severe drought, hurricanes, and floods.

Going green means investing and learning about new technologies that reduce the effects of climate change. This usually means generating your own source of electricity, buying and using sustainable products, and reducing your dependence on fossil fuels.

Going 100% green isn’t easy. Most of us generate carbon emissions every time we use a roll of toilet paper or hop on a plane, but small changes to your lifestyle can help you protect the plant. Use this guide to learn more about going green:

What is Going Green?

The term essentially means pursuing knowledge and practices that can lead to more environmentally friendly and ecologically responsible decisions and lifestyles, which can help protect the environment and sustain its natural resources for current and future generations.

Every decision you make can affect the planet. If you want to go green, use this to-do list to get started:

Utilize Sustainable Electricity

Many homeowners are realizing the benefits of installing solar panels on their roof. You can use this technology to generate your own source of electricity for free. The equipment costs money upfront, but you should see a return on your investment after a few years. The utility company pay even pay you for any excess electricity you pump into the grid. With solar panels, your home won’t have to rely on natural gas or coal, both of which contribute to climate change.

Go Paperless

Paper is made of trees, which help pull carbon out of the air. Limit your paper consumption as much as possible to reduce your impact on the environment. Use digital documents instead of printing them out on paper. You can also have your bills emailed to you instead of using the mail.

Sharing

Do you really need your own version of – well, everything? We are moving towards a sharing economy where people are accustomed to sharing the items they use every day, whether it’s a car, bike, book, home appliance, or office supplies. If you decide to share these items instead of buying them for yourself, manufacturers won’t have to make them in the first place, which saves money, fuel, and precious natural resources.

Reuse and Recycle

You should always make a point to buy products that can either be reused or recycled. These products can be melted down or manufactured into other goods, which reduces the need for raw materials like wood, plastic, glass, and paper.

Be sure to recycle these products once you’re finished using them. You can also upcycle these products by using them for something other than their intended purpose. For example, you can use disposable plastic bags as trash bags. Use takeout containers to bring a lunch to work. The possibilities are endless.

You can also buy products from manufacturers that only use sustainable or recycled materials. You should be able to buy the things you love without hurting the planet.

Keep these tips in mind as you consider going green. Contact the professionals at A-1 Guaranteed to learn more about installing solar panels in your home.

Renewable Energy Sources Reduce Pollution and Utility Costs

Clean energy is changing the world – one industry at a time. Families, companies, cities, and states are embracing clean energy as a way of limiting the effects of climate change. Catastrophic floods, hurricanes, and wildfires brought on by drought continue to wreak havoc across California. Clean energy not only reduces these effects, it’s also considerably cheaper than non-renewable alternatives like oil, coal, and natural gas. Learn more about clean energy and how it can help you save money.

Clean Energy

Clean energy refers to sources of energy that don’t affect the environment. This may include wind, solar, hydro or geothermal energy. These are natural sources of energy that occur without human assistance. Special equipment is used to transfer this energy into electricity that most of us every day.

Fossil fuels, such as natural gas, coal, and oil, have been extracted from the planet for years, but scientists now know that burning these substances releases carbon monoxide into the atmosphere. Carbon dioxide is considered a greenhouse gas, which means it absorbs and radiates heat. The abundance of greenhouse gas is making the planet hotter. The excess heat is being absorbed into the earth and oceans, which has accelerated the growth of extreme weather events all over the world.

Clean energy offers an alternative to traditional fossil fuels that have contributed to a warming planet.

Why Use Clean Energy?

In addition to saving the planet, clean energy also makes financial sense. It’s much cheaper to generate electricity using solar panels or wind turbines that it is to extract fossil fuels from the earth, which then must be converted into fuel or electricity.

The price of solar energy equipment has dropped in price over the last few years, making it more accessible to home and business owners. The initial cost of the equipment plus installation fees varies based on the size of the property and how much energy it needs, but once the installation is complete, the owner can generate clean electricity free of charge for years to come. This equipment generally lasts between 20 and 30 years and may need to be repaired from time.

How to Use Clean Energy

If you are interested in joining the clean energy movement, now’s the time. Contact your local solar energy experts at A-1 Guaranteed to get started. We can help you install a series of solar panels on your roof or property. Once the panels are connected to the grid, you can start generating energy at home. You won’t have to pay monthly utility bills for electricity. In fact, the utility company may even pay for any excess energy you pump into the grid. You can even use this to power your all-electric vehicle to further reduce your dependence on fossil fuels.

The future is green. Clean energy is transforming industries large and small. If you’re tired of paying for fuel and electricity that contributes to climate change, take control of your energy by calling A-1 Guaranteed in Solano County. Take advantage of this opportunity today to start reaping the rewards of clean energy.

Looking to Slash Your Energy Bills? Consider Going All Electric

We all use electricity every day, but some of us depend on it more than others. As much of the world looks to renewable sources of electricity, including wind and solar, many people are choosing to go “all electric”. This term has been trending for several years as consumers and companies look to reduce their impact on the environment while cutting their utility costs. Find out what it means to go all in on clean electricity.

What is All Electric?

At its core, the term means using only electricity. This may apply to a person’s lifestyle, home, building, business, or even an entire city. As an individual, going all electric means depending solely on electricity for all of life’s needs, including housing, energy, and transportation. Some people take this to include the products they buy, including food, appliances, and even social outings.

For a business, all products and processes must rely on electricity, including manufacturing, marketing, shipping, and transportation. The term may also be applied to its suppliers and business partners.

Why Go All Electric?

The advantage of going all electric is to reduce your dependence on fossil fuels that contribute to climate change. Oil and natural gas have been around for centuries, but these methods can be costly and dangerous to the surrounding community.

Going all electric typically means relying on clean sources of renewable energy. Many people, buildings, and companies will generate their own electricity using solar panels or wind turbines. This means they are only consuming the energy they generate. It’s a form of self-reliance that can also help you lower your monthly expenses. Minus the initial cost of the equipment, you won’t have to pay for electricity. The local utility company may even pay you for any excess electricity you generate.

How to Go All Electric?

The first step is to start generating your own electricity. You’ll need to install solar panels either on your roof or near your home. A professional from A-1 Guaranteed will connect the solar panels to the grid, so you can start using the energy you generate. Everything you do in your home will rely on this electricity.

If you really want to embrace the solar lifestyle, consider using an electric bike or vehicle as well. Auto manufacturers are starting to produce all electric vehicles to reduce their carbon emissions. These vehicles have come down in price over the last few years as more people generate their own electricity. You will no longer have to depend on expensive gasoline that pollutes the environment. Let your bike or car charge overnight, so you can drive or ride to work in the morning.

No more refilling at the pump and no more expensive utility bills.

As your local Solar Energy Company in Solano and Napa Counties, the professionals at A-1 Guaranteed are here to help you go all electric. Contact us today to set up a consultation.

Reduce Your Utility Bill with These DIY Tips

Summer is in full swing, and most people are cranking up the air conditioning to full blast. With record temperatures bearing down across much of the West Coast, we could all use a little break from the heat right now. But overusing your A/C unit can lead to lasting damage or even an unexpected outage, leaving you and your loved ones in the lurch when you need to cool off.

Use these DIY tips to keep the cool air coming this summer, so you don’t have to worry about your system breaking down when you need it most.

Run the A/C in Shifts

Unless you have central heating and air conditioning, running your A/C unit 24 hours a day can get you into trouble. Some units aren’t meant to run continuously for days on end, especially if they are more than a few years old. Resist the urge the let the unit run all day long. Turn it on during the hottest hours of the day and at night when you’re trying to sleep. Try to give the machine a break during the morning and evening when it isn’t as hot.

Consider ductless Mini Splits to help cool the rooms you will be using the most.

Cover the Windows

Nothing will heat up a room like a sunny day. As much as we all love a view, be sure to close the curtains or blinds when the sun is blasting into your home. All that extra sunlight forces your HVAC system to work 10% harder, which adds to your utility bills. Try to hang out in shaded rooms during the hottest hours of the day to limit your energy usage.

Choose Your Battles

Cooling off your entire home can feel like a losing battle, especially in the middle of a record heat wave. You should only cool off the rooms you plan on occupying throughout the day. For more temperature control, try to limit your time to smaller rooms that are easier to cool than open areas. Keep doors closed to keep the cold air in and the hot air out.

Watch Out for Leaks

A leaky door or window can make it virtually impossible to keep your home cool. Go around the outside of your home to make sure cold air isn’t slipping through the cracks. Use expandable foam and sealants to close gaps and pathways. Avoid opening and closing doors and windows during the hottest hours of the day. Keep them locked during the day, so your family or housemates think twice before letting out all that cold air. Every second matters when temperatures exceed 100 degrees F.

Listen and Inspect

Your unit won’t last forever. If you’ve been using your system more than you’re used to, it could poop out at a moment’s notice. Luckily, most units give out a few warning signs before they kick the bucket. Listen for strange sounds, including grinding and clanking noises, every time you turn on the machine. Watch out for smoke, leaks, and sudden changes to your utility bill, all of which could be bad news for your unit.

You shouldn’t have to worry about staying cool this summer, at least when you’re at home. Contact the professionals at A-1 Guaranteed in Solano County if you notice anything out of the ordinary. We will schedule the most convenient time available to get your unit up and running again as quickly as possible.